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Hi Eva, I am reprinting your response to me and my answer on the list because I think it has some general interest. Requip is a dopamine agonist meaning it acts on the receptor sites in the brain in a similar way to dopamine. Since it acts directly it is not dependent on the conversion of l-dopa to dopamine. That conversion occurs in the substantia nigra cells that are dying in PD. The agonists therefore - at least theoretically- do not tax the remaining dopamine-producing cells and MAY increase their life span. As I have written before I think it is important that at least a consultation be done by a reputable movement disorders clinic for PD patients. Very few primary care physicians and even a fair number of general neurologists are not up to date with the rapidly evolving treatment strategies of treating PD. If presented in a reasonable way most good physicians will not be offended by the request of such a consult. It then establishes (or strengthens relationship between the consultant and the PCP or general neurologist which is to everybody's benefit. Good luck, Charlie PETER WHEATLEY wrote: > I am new to this list, What is Requip for? My mother is on Sinemet only and one other drug to bring up her blood pressure. I am trying to get all the info I can for her re; this disease. Thank you Eva Wheatley > Charles T. Meyer, M.D. Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin [log in to unmask] ******************************************************************************************